Teach English in Guangpu Zhen - Chongqing

Building confidence in studentsMy mother has gone to several English Institutes throughout her life, but she still feels unable to communicate in English. Last year, she went to visit me during my senior year in college and whenever she had to speak with someone (to buy food, for example) she would always tell me to do it. I asked her why she did not do it herself if she knew what to answer. Her answer was very simple: I am embarrassed. Her English level is not that advanced, but she is definitely able to communicate with someone and be understood, true, she will make errors and her pronunciation will not be as that of a native speaker, but she can communicate and still she does not want to do it. She is a clear example of what lack of confidence can do to a student. Confidence is an essential part of the learning of any language since it is through it that you are able to communicate in the real life and not only in class. In her article Dr. Wen-chi Vivian proposes an addition to traditional EFL teaching which involves the use of technology. In her study, students were able to communicate with an English native speaker which proved very useful to improve students? confidence. By doing this, students were able to put in test what they have been learning and at the same time get used to speaking with a native speaker. What students gained from this was that they were able to see that a native speaker was able to understand them and that they were able to understand a native speaker. One of the students participating on this research said that ?the American?s ??reaction to your response showed directly on his face when he understood you or had a difficulty understanding you; therefore, I had a better idea about the accuracy of our pronunciation or the usage of the language. And now, I am less afraid of native speakers.?? 1 Another research shows that by exposing adult students to an increased amount of speaking activities, students were able to decrease their fear to speak and increased the amount of time they spoke2. EFL students, especially adult EFL students are more aware of the mistakes they make and also want to achieve perfection. I am not saying that they cannot achieve perfection or should not want to, however, they cannot wait until they achieve perfection to begin using the language. In fact, it is more likely that they will never achieve perfection if they do not start using the language. As the saying goes: practice makes perfect. This is why it is so important to work on students? confidence, because if they do not have confidence, they will not use the language and if they do not use it, they will not improve. EFL teachers have a great responsibility when it comes to building confidence in students. If they fail to work this area with their students, then their work will be in vain since, as my mom, those students will not be able to use English in real life and it will only become something theoretical that they once learned but now have forgotten. Teachers have a great challenge since it is not an easy task. Several methods have been studied that have proven to help with this area, although those that depend on technology cannot be used everywhere since it depends on the availability of that technology in each country. However, it is the responsibility of each teacher to search for methods that can be used to increase the confidence of his/her students. This way, students will be able to successfully finish their learning and communicate with others through English.